Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Canyon Road is Santa Fe's celebrated arts district, a narrow, roughly half-mile lane lined with more than a hundred galleries, studios and sculpture gardens. Once a route used to bring firewood down from the mountains, and long before that a Pueblo footpath, it evolved through the 20th century into one of the most concentrated and prestigious art markets in the United States.

The setting is as much a draw as the art. Historic adobe homes with rounded walls, turquoise doors and shaded courtyards now house galleries selling everything from traditional Southwestern and Native American work to bold contemporary painting, sculpture and fine crafts. Bronze figures and abstract works dot the gardens and forecourts along the way, turning a simple stroll up the road into a rambling open-air exhibition free to all.

It comes alive at certain moments. Friday-evening openings draw sociable crowds to sample new shows with a glass of wine in hand, and the cherished Christmas Eve tradition of the Farolito Walk lines the whole lane with flickering candle lanterns and crackling piñon bonfires, one of the city's most magical annual events. A handful of cafés and a historic restaurant offer places to pause among the galleries.

Practical notes: the road is free to wander at any time, with galleries generally open from late morning into early evening; many cluster their receptions on Fridays. Allow a couple of hours to browse, more if the art draws you in deeper. It lies a short walk or drive from the plaza, and parking is limited, so arriving on foot is easiest. The lane is narrow with uneven historic sidewalks, so watch your footing, and it is especially atmospheric in soft evening light.